Slime control composition and its use

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to certain processes and compositions useful for inhibiting and/or controlling the growth of slime in water and, in particular, water employed for industrial purposes. Water employed in the manufacture of pulp paper and water employed in cooling water systems, as well as other industrial waters, provide environments which are conducive to slime formation. The novel compositions of the present invention are mixtures which show unexpected synergistic activity against microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and algae, which produce slime in aqueous systems. The slime, of course, is objectionable from an operational and/or an aesthetic point of view. Specifically, the invention is directed to and the use of composition comprising a combination of 5-chloro-4-phenyl-1,2dithiole-3-one or derivatives thereof and t-butyl hydroperoxide. The inventive compositions inhibit the growth of slime in water, or more specifically, possess biocidal activity against bacteria, fungi and/or algae. The derivative comtemplated for use in accordance with the present invention are those which possess the capacity to kill or inhibit the growth of slime-forming microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae.

2 United States Patent 1191 Shema et al.

1451 Sept. 2, 1975 SLIME CONTROL COMPOSITION AND ITS USE [76] Inventors: Bernard F. Shema, 2014 Fortune Rd., Glenside; Paul Swered, 97l7 Glenhope Rd., Philadelphia; Robert H. Brink, Jr., l9 Walnut Ln., Doylestown, all of Pa.

22 Filed: Sept. 20, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 182,259

52 us. c1. 424/277; 71/67; 162/161; 424/338 51 int. Cl A0ln 9/12 58 Field of Search 71/67, 90, 338; 424/277 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,031,372 4/1962 Brack 424/277 Primary Examiner-James 0. Thomas, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT The present invention relates to certain processes and compositions useful for inhibiting and/or controlling the growth of slime in water and, in particular, water employed for industrial purposes. Water employed in the manufacture of pulp paper and water employed in cooling water systems, as well as other industrial waters, provide environments which are conducive to slime formation. The novel compositions of the present invention are mixtures which show unexpected synergistic activity against microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and algae, which produce slime in aqueous systems. The slime, of course, is objectionable from an operational and/or an aesthetic point of view. Specifically, the invention is directed to and the use of composition comprising a combination of 5- chloro-4-phenyl-l,2-dithiole-3-one or derivatives thereof and t-butyl hydroperoxide. The inventive compositions inhibit the growth of slime in water, or more specifically, possess biocidal activity against bacteria, fungi and/or algae. The derivative comtemplated for use in accordance with the present invention are those which possess the capacity to kill or inhibit the growth of slime-forming microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae.

10 Claims, N0 Drawings SLIME CONTROL COMPOSITION AND ITS USE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The formation of slime by microorganisms is a problem which attends many systems. For example, lagoons, lakes, ponds, pools and such systems as cooling water systems and pulp and paper mill systems all possess conditions which are conducive to the growthand reproduction of slime-forming microorganisms. In both once-through and recirculating cooling systems, for example, which employ large quantities of water as a cooling medium, the formation of slime by microorganisms is an extensive and constant problem.

Airborne organisms are readily entrained in the water from cooling towers and find this warm medium an ideal environment for growth and multiplication. Aerobic and heliotropic organisms flourish on the tower proper while other organisms colonize and grow in such areas as the tower sump and the piping and passages of the cooling system. Such slime serves to deteriorate the tower structure in the case of wooden towers. In addition, the deposition of slime on metal surfaces promotes corrosion. Furthermore, slime carried through the cooling system plugs and fouls lines, valves, strainers, etc. and deposits on heat exchange surfaces. In the latter case, the impedance of heat transfer can greatly reduce the efficiency of the cooling system.

In pulp and paper mill systems, slime formed by microorganisms is also frequently and, in fact, commonly encountered. Fouling or plugging by slime also occurs in the case of pulp and paper mill systems. Of greater significance, the slime becomes entrained in the paper produced to cause breakouts on the paper machines with consequent work stoppages and the loss of pro duction time or unsightly blemishes in the final product; this, of course, results in rejects and wasted output. The previously discussed problems have resulted in the extensive utilization of biocides in cooling water and pulp and paper mill systems. Materials which have enjoyed widespread use in such applications include chlorine, organo-mercurials, chlorinated phenols, organo bromines, and various organo-sulfur compounds. All of these compounds are generally useful for this purpose but each is attended by a variety of impediments. For example, chlorination is limited both by its specific toxicity for slime-forming organisms at economic levels and by the ability of chlorine to react which results in the expenditure of the chlorine before its full biocidal function may be achieved. Other biocides are attended by high costs, odor problems and hazards in respect to storage, use or handling which limit their utility. To date, no one compound or type of compound has achieved a clearly established predominance in respect to the applications discussed. Likewise, lagoons, ponds, lakes and even pools, either used for pleasure purposes or used for industrial purposes for the disposal and storage of industrial wastes become, during the warm weather, besieged by slime due to microorganism growth and reproduction. In the case of the recreational areas, the problem of infection, odor, etc. is obvious. In the case of industrial storage or disposal of industrial materials, the microorganisms cause additional problems which must be eliminated prior to the materi als use or the waste is treated for disposal.

It is the object of the present invention to provide compositions for controlling slime-forming microorganisms in aqueous systems, such as cooling water systems and pulp and paper mill systems, and for controlling slime formation or microorganism populations in aqueous bodies in general. Moreover, another object of the invention is the provision of methods for preserving materials and for controlling slimeforming microorganisms in any aqueous system which is conducive to the growth and reproduction of microorganisms and, in particular, cooling water and paper and pulp mill systems. These methods employ a combination of 5- chloro-4-phenyl-l,2-dithiole-3-one or derivatives thereof and t-butyl hydroperoxide. The activity of tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide as a biocidally active agent is well known as indicated by U.S. Pat. No. 3,514,278.

In the practice of the invention, the combination is added to the particular material to be preserved or to the system being treated, for example cooling water systems, paper and pulp mill systems, pools, ponds, la goons, lakes, etc., in a quantity adequate to control the slime-forming microorganisms which are contained by, or which may become entrained in, the system which is treated. It has been found that such compositions and methods control the growth and occurrence of such microorganisms as may populate these particular systems.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As earlier stated, the inventive compositions comprise a combination of 5-chloro-4-phenyl-1,Z-dithiole- 3-one or derivatives thereof and a t-butyl hydroperox ide either compound being present in such quantity as to impart a synergistic behavior for the purpose to the composition as a whole. Preferably, the compositions contain a percentage by weight ranging from about 5 to about 95% of the dithiole-3-one compound and from about 5 to about 95% of the t-butyl hydroperoxide. When these two ingredients are mixed either beforehand or by addition to the aqueous system individually, the resulting mixtures possess a high degree of slimicidal activity which could not have been predicted beforehand from the known activity of the individual ingredients comprising the mixture. Accordingly, it is therefore possible to produce a more effective slimecontrol agent than has previously been available. Because of the enhanced activity of the mixture, the total quantity of'biocide required for an effective treatment may be reduced. In addition, the high degree of biocidal effectiveness which is provided by each of the ingredients may be exploited without use of the higher concentrations of each. This feature is not only important and advantageous from an economical point of view, but also most desirable from the pollution or ecological standpoints. In this regard, it might be pointed outthat the smaller the amount ofa chemical that is required for effective treatment, the smaller the problem in treating the wastes from these systems. In both cooling water systems and in paper and pulp mill systems, certain discharge of waste water, e.g., blowdown in cooling water systems, is a necessity. However, because of the current concern and legislation regarding the discharge of wastes, the effluent waste water must be treated to reduce and, hopefully, to eliminate any undesirable constituents. This treatment, of course, is

ditives.

In order to illustrate this synergistic activity, the efficacy and the comparative effectiveness of the inventive 3 compositions, various tests were utilized and will be described following.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS EXAMPLE 1 SYNERGISTIC COMBINATION:

Compound A: -chloro-4-phenyl-l ,2-dithiole-3-one Compound B: t-butyl hydroperoxide The compositions of this Example contained 5- chloro-4-phenyl-1,2-dithio1e-3-one (referred to as Compound A in the Test Equations and in Tables 1 through 1C) and t-butyl hydroperoxide (referred to as Compound B in this Example and in the Test Equations and in Tables 1 through 1C) in the weight ratios expressed in the Tables which follow. The compositions were tested for synergistic activity in accordance with the method described. The synergism test was utilized to evaluate each of the combinations of this Example. Synergistic Index Test Synergistic activity was demonstrated by adding Compound A and Compound B in varying ratios and over a range of concentrations to liquid nutrient medium which was subsequently inoculated with a standard volume of suspension of the bacterium Aerobacter aerogenes. Following two days incubation, the lowest concentration of each ratio which prevented growth of the bacteria was taken as the end point. Growth or nogrowth was determined by turbidity or clarity respectively in the medium. End points for the various mixtures were then compared with end points for the pure active ingredients working alone in concomitantly prepared culture bottles. Synergism was determined by the method described by Kull et al [F. C. Kull, P. C. Eisman, 11. D. Sylwestrowicz and R. L. Mayer, Applied Microbiology, 9, 538-41, (1961)] and the relationships,

QJ/Qq +Q /Q 1 is additivity 1 is antagonism 1 is synergism where,

Q Quantity of Compound A acting alone, producing an end point Q Quantity of Compound B acting alone, producing an end point Q,, Quantity of Compound A, in the mixture, producing an end point B Quantity of Compound B, in the mixture, producing an end point For mixtures of Compounds A and B, and for Compound A and Compound B acting alone, the following results were observed:

It is evident from the data recorded in Table I that compositions of the present invention function to con-,

trol slime growth due to microorganisms not only at equal portions of the respective ingredients, but also where just minor amounts of one or the other are present. This discovery of synergism at the lower levels is extremely valuable since it illustrates conclusively that the ingredients are compatible over the wide percentage by weight range. BACTERICIDAL EFFECTIVENESS The bactericidal effectiveness of the mixture of Compound A and Compound B of this Example is demonstrated by the following Table in which the inhibiting power of a 50/50 by weight mixture of A and B is shown. Aerobacter aerogenes was employed as the test organism and a substrate technique was utilized. Specifically, the biocidal mixture was added in gradually increasing quantities to nutrient agar media which was then inoculated with A. aerogenes. The preparation was then incubated for 48 hours. The values set forth in the Table indicate the quantity of biocide required, in parts by weight for each one million parts by weight of the medium, in order to achieve complete inhibition of the growth of the test organism.

TABLE 1A Quantity (ppm) required for inhibition Biocidal Material of A. aerogenes Compound A (5%), Compound B (5%). Inert (90%) 350 FUNGICIDAL EFFECTIVENESS In order to test the effectiveness of the inventive mixtures in respect to fungi, evaluations were made following the procedures described by B. F. Shema and J. H. Conkey [Journal for the Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry, 36, 20A--30A, (1953)]. The described procedure generally entails incorporating the biocide under test in a nutrient substrate such as agar, malt, etc. and pouring the resulting medium into a Petri dish and allowing the medium to solidify. A button offungus inoculum is placed on the surface of the solidified medium and the medium is incubated for a period of 14 days. After the period, the diameter of the colony is measured and compared with the diameter of the button of inoculum originally placed upon the surface. If there is no increase in the diameter, the growth of the fungus is considered to be completely inhibited and the treatment level which accomplished this is considered the inhibitory concentration. The fungal species utilized as the test microorganism to evaluate the efficacy of the present mixture were Penicillium expansum and Aspergillus niger.

TABLE 1 Weight Ratio Quantities Producing End Points (ppm) of A to B 0.4 on M xtu e QA/Qu QH/Qb QA/Q Qn/Qb 50/50 9.0 v 9.0 18.0 .642 .090 0.73 5/95 2.0 38.0 40.0 .143 .38 0.52 O/10O 100 100 TABLE 18 Quantity (ppm) for inhibition Biocidal Material P. expansum A. niger SLIME CONTROL EFFECTIVENESS The inventive methods and compositions were also tested with respect to their performance in the control of slime formation in industrial systems. in this test an industrial recirculating water was obtained from a system which was currently experiencing problems in respect to the formation of slime by microorganisms. Such tests do not demonstrate the efficiency of the bio cide employed with respect to specific species of microorganisms but instead supply a practical demonstration of the efficacy of the biocide tested in relation to those communities of microorganismswhich have evidenced their ability to form slime in actual industrial systems.

In the testing of recirculating water samples, a substrate evaluation was employed. In such testing identical portions of water samples are treated with varying concentrations of biocide and two portions are left untreated to serve as controls. The control portions are plated for total count at the beginning of biocide treatment and all portions are plated for total count at some suitable time period(s) after beginning biocide treatment. Using the counts obtained from the plating, the percentage kill (based on the initial control count) may be calculated. In this evaluation the water sample was taken from a cooling tower makeup system located in the southwestern United States.

For the purposes of comparison, the mixture of A and B was evaluated together with two recognized commercial biocides, Pentachlorophenol and a Commercial Product.

tions or dispersions. For example, a preferred solution comprises between 5 to 65 percent by weight of the synergistic combination in admixture with various solvents and solubilizing agents. An example of such a synergistic biocidal product comprises from about 5 to 10 percent by weight of the t-butyl hydroperoxide about 5 to 10 percent by weight of the 5-chloro-4- phenyl-l ,2-dithiole-3-one and the remainder composed of such materials as surfactants, stabilizers, organic solvents, such as lower alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons and/or water.

Surfactants such as the alkylaryl polyether alcohols, polyether alcohols, sulfonates and sulfates, and the like, may be employed to enhance the dispersibility and stability of these dispersions. The foregoing solutions of the biocidal compositions are utilized in order to insure the rapid and uniform dispersibility of the biocides within the industrial water which is treated. it has been found that either aqueous or non-aqueous solvents are generally suitable in the preparation of compositions of the invention, e.g., methyl cellosolve, organic solvents such as the aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g., kerosene. Based upon the synergism study as outlined above, it was ascertained that in the treatment of paper mill and cooling water, effective biocidal action is obtained when the concentration or treatment level of the combination or admixture of biocides is between 0.1 parts per million to 1000 parts per million, and preferably between 1 and 100 parts per million, based upon the total content of the aqueous system treated, such as the total quantity of cooling water or paper mill water.

TABLE lC Quantity of Percent kill Biocidal Material biocide (ppm) after 3 hours Compound A (5%), Compound B (5'71), inert (90%) 5 60 do. 10 67 do. 25 91 do. 92 do. 100 98 Pentachlorophenol (100%) 5 19 do. 10 63 do. 25 92 do. 50 99 do. 100 99 Commercial Product (30% active: Combination of dithiocarbamates) 5 42 do. 10 47 do. 25 66 do. 50 68 do. 100 74 The compositions may also be utilized for the preser- A perusal of the recorded percentages clearly estabvation of slurries and emulsions containing carbohy lishes that the composition of the present invention, although less concentrated with respect to active ingredients as compared to the two commercial products, gave excellent rates of kill even at low temperature levels. As earlier expressed, excellent performance of a biocidal composition at low treatment levels not only provides a most desirable cost performance index, but also provides most desirable advantages from the aspects of pollution abatement, waste treatment costs and the preservation of the ecological strain.

When the inventive compositions are employed in the treatment of cooling or paper mill water, they are preferably utilized in the form of relatively dilute soludrates, proteins, fats, oils, etc.; dosage levels for this purpose range in the vicinity of 0.01 to 5 percent. The compositions of the invention which can be prepared by merely combining the respective ingredients and mixing thoroughly at standard conditions may be fed continuously to the treated system, e.g., by means of a metered pump, or may be fed periodically at predetermined intervals calculated to control the growth of slime-forming organisms in the system. Naturally, in the treatment of cooling water, the feeding of the inventive compositions must be designed to compensate for blowdown in those systems which employ that expedient.

is to be understood that physical compositions or combinations are not the sole utility of the invention. If, for example, the separate ingredients of the composition are added independently to a particular system, it is intended that this usage of the subject matter is within the scope of the invention and is to be construed within the broad interpretation of composition and/or combination. A

As would be expected, the inventive composition may be added to the cooling water or paper and pulp mill systems at any convenient point. Naturally, in once-through or non-circulating system, the composition must be added upstream from the point or points at which microorganism control is desired. In circulating systems or pulp and paper systems, the compositions must be added at any point provided that the time lapse and the conditions experienced between point of addition and the point at which the effect of the composition is to be experienced are not so drastic as to result in the neutralization of the effect of the composition.

Although the invention has been described specifically as being directed to specific compositions comprising -chloro-4-phenyl-l,2-dithiole-3-one in combination with the t-butyl hydroperoxide, it is obvious that homologs, analogs, etc. of the dithiole-3-one compound certainly are operable for the purpose. Likewise, the derivatives of the specially exemplified hydroperoxide compounds also have utility in the present inventive concept. The provision, of course, is that the derivatives possess biocidal or growth inhibitory capacities with respect to bacteria, fungi, and algae.

It should be noted that while the evidence has been derived from the treatment of samples taken from a paper and pulp mill aqueous system, the compositions and methods of the present invention are broadly applicable to the treatment of aesthetic waters as well as industrial waters such as cooling waters which are plagued by deposits formed by slime-forming organisms, or by the very presence of such organisms.

Having thus described the invention, what we claim l. A method for controlling the growth of the microorganism Aerobacter aerogenes in an aqueous system in which said microorganism is found which comprises adding to said system so as to contact said microorganism an effective amount of a combination comprising 5-chloro-4-phenyl-l,2-dithiole-3-one and t-butylhydroperoxide and mixtures thereof, wherein the weight ratio of the dithiole to the hydroperoxide is from about 5 'to 95 percent to about 95 to 5 percent.

' 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the combination contains approximately percent by weight of each of said dithiole-3-one and said t-butyl hydroperoxide.

3. A method according to claim l wherein the combination is added to, said system in any amount of from about 0.1 to about 1000 parts by weight of said composition per parts by weight of said aqueous system.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the composition is added to said system in an amount of l to lOO parts per million parts of said aqueous system.

5. A method according to claim 3 wherein the aqueous system is the aqueous system of a cooling water system. i

6. A method according to claim 3 wherein the system is the aqueous system of a pulp and paper mill system.

7. A method of preserving materials which are subject to attack by the microorganism Aerobacter aerogenes which comprises incorporating in said material containing an amount of said microorganism from about 0.01 to 5 percent by weight of a: combination comprising 5-chloro-4-phenyl-l,2-dithiole-3-one and t-butyl hydroperoxide, wherein the weight ratio of the dithiole to the hydroperoxide is from about 5 to 95 percent to about 95 to 5 percent. v

8. A composition which is effective in controlling the growth of the microorganism Aerobacter aerogenes in an aqueous sytem in which said microorganism is found comprising 5-chloro-4-phenyl-l,2-dithiole-3-one and t-butyl-hydroperoxide, wherein the weight ratio of the dithiole to the hydroperoxide is from about 5 to 95 perweight of each of said dithiole-3-one and said t-butyl hydroperoxide.

10. A biocidal product which is effective in controlling the growth of the microorganism Aerobacter aerogenes in an aqueous system in which said microorgan- ,lizers, organic and inorganic solvents and mixtures thereof. 

1. A METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE GROWING OF THE MICROORGANISM AEROBACTOR AEROGENES IN AN AQUEOUS SYSTEM IN WHICH SAID MICROORGANISM IS FOUND WHICH COMPRISES ADDING TO SAID SYSTEM SO AS TO CONTACT SAID MICROORGANISM AN EFFECTIVE AMOUNT OF A COMBINATION COMPRISING 5-CHLORO-4-PHENYL-1,2-DISTHIOLE3-ONE AND 1-BUTYL-HYDROPEROXIDE AND MIXTURES THEREOF, WHEREIN THE WEIGHT RATIO OF THE DITHIOLE TO THE HYDROPEROXIDE IS FROM ABOUT 5 TO 95 PERCENT TO ABOUT 95 TO 5 PERCENT.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the combination contains approximately 50 percent by weight of each of said dithiole-3-one and said t-butyl hydroperoxide.
 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the combination is added to said system in any amount of from about 0.1 to about 1000 parts by weight of said composition per parts by weight of said aqueous system.
 4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the composition is added to said system in an amount of 1 to 100 parts per million parts of said aqueous system.
 5. A method according to claim 3 wherein the aqueous systEm is the aqueous system of a cooling water system.
 6. A method according to claim 3 wherein the system is the aqueous system of a pulp and paper mill system.
 7. A method of preserving materials which are subject to attack by the microorganism Aerobacter aerogenes which comprises incorporating in said material containing an amount of said microorganism from about 0.01 to 5 percent by weight of a combination comprising 5-chloro-4-phenyl-1,2-dithiole-3-one and t-butyl hydroperoxide, wherein the weight ratio of the dithiole to the hydroperoxide is from about 5 to 95 percent to about 95 to 5 percent.
 8. A composition which is effective in controlling the growth of the microorganism Aerobacter aerogenes in an aqueous sytem in which said microorganism is found comprising 5-chloro-4-phenyl-1, 2-dithiole-3-one and t-butyl-hydroperoxide, wherein the weight ratio of the dithiole to the hydroperoxide is from about 5 to 95 percent to about 95 to 5 percent.
 9. A composition according to claim 8 wherein the composition contains approximately 50 percent by weight of each of said dithiole-3-one and said t-butyl hydroperoxide.
 10. A biocidal product which is effective in controlling the growth of the microorganism Aerobacter aerogenes in an aqueous system in which said microorganism is found comprising from about 5 to 10 percent by weight of 5-chloro-4-phenyl-1,2-dithiole-3-one and from about 5 to 10 percent by weight of t-butyl hydroperoxide, and the remainder composed of a material selected from the group consisting of surfactants, stabilizers, organic and inorganic solvents and mixtures thereof. 